Importance of Haritha Keralam Project

Haritha Keralam project is promulgated in schools and colleges as enta maram and nammude maram to attract students and youngsters.
In 2009, during the first phase, about 31 lakhs of seedlings were distributed among the panchayaths to plant in available vacant lands. About 70 lakhs of seedlings were distributed during 2010. The third phase is starting with this environment day.
We all were proud about the greenery what Kerala had about 25 to 30 years back. Some of us had to stay away from Kerala for years together in connection with job. During the journey back, while the train enters in Kerala area, we could feel the climate change. The greenary of kerala had no comparison. The beauty of Kerala entirely depends on the green fields, clean rivers, cool breeze and along with our hospitality and culture. This beauty attracted even foreigners and outsiders to Kerala.
During the process of modernization, we forget to care the environment. Rivers become dumping yard of waste materials, especially of plastic waste. Green fields were turned to concrete jungles. The greenery is drastically reduced and the atmospheric temperature becomes high.
Till some years back, our way side had enough shade giving huge trees. Those trees were destroyed for the sake of road widening. But we didn't paid attention to plant more saplings instead. Though, some planted in certain area, were not protected.
Our forefathers had a practice of planting trees which, they believe, related to the stars (janmanakshtram) of every member in the family. New trees will be added as the birth of a new baby. So the courtyard will always be filled with trees. A list of trees and related stars is given below
During this environment day ie on 5th Jun, we have to take an oath to plant as much new trees possible and to protect the remaining. Let us extent our full support to this venture by planting at least a sapling in our courtyard.
Remember, more trees, means more oxygen in the air, more water conceiving ability of the ground, more humidity in the environment. And these are the essential factors which supports life on earth.
List of trees related to stars
Star/ Malayalam name/ Scientific name/ English name
Aswathy/ Kanjiram/ Strychnos Nux/ poison nut tree
Bharani/ Nelli/ Phyllanthus Emblica/ Country gooseberry
Karthika/ Athi/ Ficus glomerata/ Cluster Fig
Rohini/ Njaval/ Eugenia Jumbolana/ Black plum.
Makayiram/ Karingali/ Acacia catechu/ Black catechu
Thiruvathira/ Thippali/ Piper Longum/ Long pepper
Punartham/ Mula/ Bambusa arundinaceae/ Bamboo
Pooyam/ Arayal/ Ficus religiosa/ Peepal tree
Ayilyam/ Punna/ Ochrocarpus longifolins/Indian Laurel tree
Makam/ Peraal/ Ficus bengalensis/ Banyan tree
Pooram/ Plassu/ Butea frondosa/ Forest flame
Uthram/ Arali/ Nerium odorum/ Rosebery Spurge
Atham/ Ambazham/ Spondias mangifera/ Wild Mango
Chithira/ Koovalam/ Aegle marmelos/ Beal
Chothi/ Karimaruthu/ Termianlia tomentosa/ Malabar walnut
Visakham/ Vilarmaram/ Feronia elephantum/ Wood apple
Anizham/ Ilanji/ Mimusops/ --
Keata/ Paruva maram/ Streblus asper/ --
Moolam/ Achamaram/ --/ --
Pooradam/ Amruthu/ Tinospora cordifolia/ Heart leaved Moonseed
Uthradom/ Plavu/ Artocarpusintegrifolia/ Jack tree
Thiruvonam/ Chuvanna erikku/Galotropis procera/ --
Avittam/ Vanni/ Prosopis spicigera/ sponge tree
Chathayam/ Kadambam/ Corallocarpus epigola/ --
Pooruruttathi/ Mavu/ Mangifera indica/ Mango tree
Uthruttathi/ Aryaveppu/ Melia azadirachta/ neem tree
Revathi/ Irippa maram/ Bassia longifolia/ Mowa tree